The field for the BOV MAFA 70th Anniversary Cup quarter-finals is now complete following a weekend of competitive Round of 16 action. The six newly qualified teams—Marsa St Michael, Senglea Gunners, San Ġiljan Saints, Balluta Barracudas, Birżebbuġa St Peter’s, and Għaxaq Wolves—join previously qualified sides St Paul’s Bay NMFC and San Ġwann Pro Evolution Academy.

Here is a summary of the key matches that decided the final spots:

Decisive Victories

• Marsa St Michael (Cup Holders) secured a 3-0 victory over rivals Ħamrun Sporting. Nobokatsu Tsuchiya was the star, scoring a brace (35′, 45′), before Ali Oularbi sealed the win.
• Għaxaq Wolves saw off Attard Edex Kings 4-0, though the scoreline only opened up late. Ian Zammit netted a penalty in the 2nd minute, but the result was secured by late goals from Thomas Veronese, Diego Fernando Pereira, and Julian Said Capacho.

Dramatic Finishes

• Senglea Gunners needed a penalty shoot-out to eliminate Valletta Stars St Dominic 7-6 after the match ended 3-3 in 70 minutes. Locht Yenti Renaud (2) and Benjamin Onyeawulotu scored for Valletta, while Christopher Philip Balotelli, Ousman Jallow, and Lamin Jaiteh replied for Senglea, who won the shoot-out 4-3.
• Birżebbuġa St Peter’s edged a thrilling encounter against Mqabba Albions 2-1, thanks to early goals from Oussama Boutayeb and Titi Dumitri. Gilbert Pace scored a late consolation for the Albions.

Derby Upsets

• San Ġiljan Saints produced an upset by stunning Valletta St Paul’s 2-1. Early goals from Oliver Hylander and Claude Roman Jason were enough to hold off Valletta, who managed only a late reply from Luka Asanidze.
• Balluta Barracudas won the local derby against Ta’ Ġiorni Wanderers 3-1. After Andrew Tortell opened the scoring and Deisler Conti leveled for Ta’ Ġiorni, late goals from Nicholas Jaccarini and Timothy Zammit Lupi secured the Barracudas’ passage.

📅 Quarter-Final Fixtures

The quarter-finals are set to be played next weekend:

Saturday, 6 December 2025